Blues and Soul Man Darrell Nulisch Presents New Severn Records CD, Just For You, on October 20

SEVERN, MD Severn Records announces an October 20 release date for Just for You, the latest CD from blues/soul singer and harmonica player Darrell Nulisch. This is Nulisch’s fifth album for Severn, which is independently distributed by City Hall Records, and follows his Blues Music Award-nominated last CD, Goin’ Back to Dallas.

The new album was produced by David Earl, Steve Gomes and Darrell Nulisch and recorded at the Severn Studios in Maryland. Backing Nulisch are the members of Severn’s talented "house band," including Benjie Porecki on keyboards, Steve Gomes on bass and Robb Stupka on drums, plus current Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Johnny Moeller and a full horn section with arrangements by the legendary Willie Henderson (Tyrone Davis, Chi-Lites). "For everyone who believes in the power of live music and that the real heartbeat of American music is still beating, this one is ...Just for You," says Nulisch in the album’s liner notes.

While Nulisch’s last album was a return to his Texas blues roots sound, Just for You showcases Darrell’s powerfully soulful voice in a soul/R&B groove, infused with the essence of pure blues. The album features six original songs, as well as his unique takes on J.J. Malone’s "It’s a Shame," Slim Harpo’s "Just for You," "The Woman Don’t Live Here Anymore" (originally recorded by Otis Clay) and a wonderful reading of "Work for Love," which was originally recorded in Memphis by label mate Lou Pride in the early ‘70s. Pride adds background vocals on the album as a special guest.

"Nulisch brings warmth, intimacy and intensity," said Down Beat in its review of his last CD; while Blues Revue declared, "Nulisch’s warm, world-weary vocals infuse each song with a deeply personal mix of vulnerability and determination."

Darrell Nulisch was born and raised in Dallas surrounded by blues and soul music at a young age, with his parents taking him to the area honky tonks to hear artists like Jimmy McCracklin and Freddie King. Another early favorite was neighborhood kid Jimmie Vaughan, whose early band, the Chessman, used to practice a few blocks from the Nulisch house; close enough for Nulisch to ride his bike down to hear them play.

Darrell Nulisch began singing full-time in 1978 as a founding member of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets; spending seven years with the band and recording two albums with them for Black Top Records, before playing a year with Dallas-based Mike Morgan (another current label mate) and his band the Crawl. In 1987, he joined up with blues guitar hero Ronnie Earl as lead singer for his band, the Broadcasters, and cut two albums for Black Top Records with that group before going out on his own in 1990. Since 1991, he’s been based in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Over the years besides his own recording and touring, Nulisch has been working with a number of legendary blues musicians. During a period of five years in the early part of this decade, he toured and recorded with blues harmonica great James Cotton, including work on his Fire Down Under the Hill CD, released in 2000. More recently he’s sang lead and played harmonica for several festival dates with former Howlin’ Wolf guitar icon Hubert Sumlin.